Golf putting training device

ABSTRACT

A horizontally disposed generally U-shaped frame is provided for disposition on a suitable golf putting support surface. One leg of the U-shaped frame is provided with an inverted generally Lshaped support arm or bracket including an upstanding leg and a horizontal leg. The lower end of the upstanding leg is secured to and projects upwardly from one leg of the U-shaped frame at a point spaced therealong corresponding to a point on the other leg of the frame generally centrally intermediate its opposite ends. The upper horizontal leg of the support arm is disposed at right angles relative to the legs of the frame and projects inwardly over the area between the legs of the U-shaped frame and an elongated horizontal guide bar has a mid-portion thereof supported from the free end of the horizontal arm of the support bracket intermediate its opposite ends. The guide bar is disposed in position paralleling the legs of the frame and therefore at right angles relative to the upper horizontal leg of the support bracket and the guide bar is disposed in a vertical plane positioned approximately midway between the legs of the frame. The elevation of the guide bar above the undersurface portions of the frame is at least somewhat greater than the height of the head of the putter.

States Patent [191 Gutierrez. et a1.

[ Dec. 31, 1974 1 GOLF PUTTING TRAINING DEVICE [76] Inventors: Miramon Gutierrez, 415 Fifth,

Albuquerque, N. Mex. 87101; Ricardo Gutierrez, 1600 Girard S.W., Albuquerque, N. Mex. 87106 [22] Filed: Apr. 24, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 463,811

Primary ExaminerGeorge J. Marlo Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence A. OBrien;

. Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A horizontally disposed generally U-shaped frame is provided for disposition on a suitable golf putting support surface. One leg of the U-shaped frame is provided with an inverted generally L-shaped support arm or bracket including an upstanding leg and a horizontal leg. The lower end of the upstanding leg is secured to and projects upwardly from one leg of the U-shaped frame at a point spaced therealong corresponding to a point on the other leg of the frame generally centrally intermediate its opposite ends. The upper horizontal leg of the support arm is disposed at right angles relative to the legs of the frame and projects inwardly over the area between the legs of the U-shaped frame and an elongated horizontal guide bar has a mid-portion thereof supported from the free end of the horizontal arm of the support bracket intermediate its opposite ends. The guide bar is disposed in position paralleling the legs of the frame and therefore at right angles relative to the upper horizontal leg of the support bracket and the guide bar is disposed in avertical plane positioned approximately midway between the legs of the frame. The elevation of the guide bar above the undersurface portions of the frame is at least somewhat greater than the height of the head of the putter.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The best-controlled golf putting results from control of the putter. Ideally, the face of the putter should remain vertical through the back-stroke and the followthrough (not swinging in arc) and the path which the putter follows should be on a straight line coincident with the intended path of the ball. Good putting requires training so that the putting stroke is repeated and, hence, develops repeatable shots. The putter should not rise at the back of the b ack-stroke and neither should it rise at the front of the follow-through. The path of the putter should be on a straight line at the same height as the head of the putter at the time it strikes the ball and the face of the putter should be normal to the path of movement of the putter and the intended path of the golf ball to be struck by the putter.

The stance of the golfer is also important during putting to obtain repeatable shots and good putting The golfer making a putt should po'sitionhis head directly above the ball so that slight rotation of the head and eyes naturally lines up the intended path of travel of the ball. Consistent and reliable putting is impossible unless the golfer learns how to line up his shot properly and to deliver a consistent, repeatable stroke with the head of the putter. The golf putting training device of the instant invention promotes and develops all of the necessary characteristics in training for good putting.

Various attempts to provide putting training aids have been heretofore made and have resulted in the invention of various types of aids such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,545,648; 2,303,736; 2,754,125; 2,866,645; 3,222,688; 3,460,837; and 3,656,752.

However, the golf putting training device of the instant invention is constructed in a manner whereby proper positioning of the golfer relative to the ball may be determined, a substantially unobstructed view of the ball is provided, elevation of the head of the putter during both the back-stroke and the follow-through may be monitored, alignment of the putting shot is facilitated and lateral deflection of the putter head during any part of the putting stroke is also monitored.

The main object of this invention is to provide a golf putting training device which will be capable of training a golfer to develop all of the necessary characteristics for good putting.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus in accordance with the preceding object and which will automatically monitor any deviation in the putting stroke of a golfer from that type of stroke which is thought to be critical to good putting.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which will automatically properly align the golfer in his stance relative to a golf ball.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which will facilitate alignment of the putting stroke to be made.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a golf putting training device which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to useso as to provide adevice that will economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf putting training device with the latter properly positioned relative to a golf ball to be putted and with the lower end of a putter properly positioned immediately to the rear of i the golf ball;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the putting device; and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane designated by the section line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the golf putting training device of the instant invention. The device 10 includes a main frame referred to in general by the reference numeral 12 and which is generally U-shaped in configuration. The frame 12 is horizontally disposed and includes a pairof parallel legs 14 and 16 interconnected at one pair of corresponding ends by means of a bight portion 18. The legs 14 and 16 and the bight portion 18 are constructed of angle members including inwardly directed horizontal flange portions and .upstanding outer flange portions.

The free end of the leg 16 extends outwardly beyond the free end of the leg 14 and an inverted L-shaped support bracket referred to in general by the reference numeral 18 is supported from the free end of the leg 14. The support bracket 18 includes a vertical arm 20 which has its lower end supported from the free end of the leg 14 and an upper horizontal arm 22 which is secured to the upper end of the arm 20 and projects inwardly over the area of the putting surface 24 upon which the frame 12 rests. The free end of the arm 22 terminates in a vertical plane generally paralleling and equally spaced between the legs 14 and 16. Also, the free end of the arm 22 has a midportion of an elongated horizontal guide bar 24 secured thereto by means of a rivet 26. The guide bar 24 is disposed in a vertical plane generally centrally intermediate and paralleling the legs 14 and 16 and the guide bar 24 and the arms 20 and 22 are also constructed of angle members.

The forward end portion of the guidebar 24 projecting forwardly of the arm 22 is provided with longitudinally spaced bores 28 which define front and rear limits between which a golf ball to be putted should be placed. The height of the lower marginal edge portion 30 of the upstanding flange 32 of the guide bar 24 is spaced above the undersurface of the horizontal flange portions 36 and 38 of the legs 14 and 16 a distance slightly greater than the height of the head 40 of the putter 42. Thus, with the heel of the putter 40 slightly elevated above the surface 24 during a putting stroke the upper marginal edge portion of the head 40 will be spaced only slightly beneath the lower marginal edge portion 30 of the upstanding flange 32 of the guide bar 24. In this manner, any tendency to raise the club head 40 during the backstroke or the follow-through will result in the upper marginal edge portion of the head striking the lower marginal edge portion 30. In addition, the distance between the legs 14 and 16 is slightly greater than the length of the club head and thus any lateral deviation of the club head 40 during the putting stroke will result in either end of the head 40 striking the correspondinglegs '14 and 16. In this manner, a person using the golf putting training device will be aware, by feel and sound, of any deviation in his putting stroke from the accepted putting stroke.

The free end of the leg 14 is provided with an aperture 44 in its flange portion 36 and the rear end portion of the flange 38 is provided with a similar aperture 46 whereby the device 10 may be suitably pinned to a supporting surface such as the ground.

A golfer using the device should assume a stance so that his head is directly over the ball (with the latter positioned between the bores 28) and with the guide bar centrally positioned between the legs 14 and 16 as the golfer looks toward the ground. The face of the putter should be normal to the intended direction of travel of the ball and thus parallel to the upper horizontal arm 22 of the support bracket 18. The guide bar position, therefore, provides a check for the golfer to make certain that his stance is correct and that his head is properly positioned for lining up the shot, the guide bar 24 extending in the direction of the intended shot. Practice in assuming the proper stance and head position with the device 10 will train the golfer to maintain the proper stance and head position even when the training device 10 is removed. V

The direction of movement of the head 40 of the putter 42 should be along exactly the same direction as the guide bar 24. If the golfer tends to skew the direction of travel of the putter head 40, it will contact one of the legs 14 and 16 of the frame 12 and thus signal to the golfer, by feel and sound, that an error has been made.

The device 10 is designed so that it may be conveniently used indoors on carpet or outdoors on a putting green. Of course, if it is used outdoors a pair of anchor pins may be secured through the apertures 44 and 46.

Through the use of the device 10 to train the golfer for putting, he can detect defects in his putting stroke and with assistance of thedevice 10 the golfer can develop a good rhythm and tempo of putting. Such use of the device to train a golfer develops confidence and a positive attitude toward putting. However, the putter 42 is not captivated or mechanically restricted in its movement by the device and, hence, the golfer does not feel unsure of himself when the device is removed. The device 10 is fundamental in concept and can be quickly and inexpensively fabricated for volume sale. The principle of the device 10 is equally applicable for right or left handed putters, although the device is illustrated and described herein in its form intended for a right-handed golfer.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A golf putting practice device comprising a horizontal frame including a pair of parallel elongated opposite side members interconnected at one pair of corresponding ends by means of a transverse member extending and connected therebetween, an elongated guide bar supported from said frame in elevated position relative thereto with said guide bar generally paralleling said side members and disposed in a vertical plane spaced centrally intermediate said side members, the space between said guide bar and at least one of said side members being unobstructed, the spacing between said side members being slightly greater than the length of the head of a conventional putter and the height of said guide bar above the undersurface of said side members being slightly greater than the heightof a conventional putter head.

2. The combination of claim 1 including an inverted generally L-shaped support bracket including a lower upright arm and an upper horizontal arm, the lower end of said upright arm being supported from the portion of the other side member opposite the mid-portion of said one side member and the horizontal arm projecting inwardly over the central area of said frame from the upper end of said upright arm, the mid-portion of said guide bar being supported from the end of said horizontal arm remote from said upright arm.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said side member and said transverse member comprise angle members including upstanding outer flanges and horizontal inwardly projecting lower flanges.

4. The combination of claim 1 including an inverted generally L-shaped support bracket including a lower upright arm and an upper horizontal arm, the lower end of said upright arm being supported from the portion of the-other side member opposite the mid-portion of said one side member and the horizontal arm projecting inwardly over the central area of said frame from the upper end of said upright arm, the mid-portion of said guide bar being supported from'the end-of said horizontal arm remote from said upright arm, said arms comprising angle members.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said side member and said transverse member comprise angle members including upstanding outer flanges and horizontal inwardly projecting lower flanges.

6. The combination of claim 1 including an inverted generally L-shaped support bracket including a lower upright arm and an upper horizontal arm, the lower end of said upright arm being supported from the portion of the other side member opposite the mid-portion of said one side member and the horizontal arm projecting inwardly over the central area of said frame from the upper end of said upright arm, the mid-portion of said guide bar being supported from the end of said horizontal arm remote from said upright arm, said horizontal arm being disposed in an upright plane disposed at right angles relative to said side members and said guide bar.

7. A golf putting practice device comprising a pair of parallel elongated horizontal side members rigidly interconnected at one pair of corresponding ends, an

elongated guide bar supported from said frame in elevated position relative thereto with said guide bar generally paralleling said side members and disposed in a vertical plane spaced centrally intermediate said side members, the space between said guide bar and at least one of said side members being unobstructed, the spacing between said side members being slightly greater than the length of the head of a conventional putter and the height of said guide bar above the undersurface of said side members being slightly greater than the height of a conventional putter head. 

1. A golf putting practice device comprising a horizontal frame including a pair of parallel elongated opposite side members interconnectEd at one pair of corresponding ends by means of a transverse member extending and connected therebetween, an elongated guide bar supported from said frame in elevated position relative thereto with said guide bar generally paralleling said side members and disposed in a vertical plane spaced centrally intermediate said side members, the space between said guide bar and at least one of said side members being unobstructed, the spacing between said side members being slightly greater than the length of the head of a conventional putter and the height of said guide bar above the undersurface of said side members being slightly greater than the height of a conventional putter head.
 2. The combination of claim 1 including an inverted generally L-shaped support bracket including a lower upright arm and an upper horzontal arm, the lower end of said upright arm being supported from the portion of the other side member opposite the mid-portion of said one side member and the horizontal arm projecting inwardly over the central area of said frame from the upper end of said upright arm, the mid-portion of said guide bar being supported from the end of said horizontal arm remote from said upright arm.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said side member and said transverse member comprise angle members including upstanding outer flanges and horizontal inwardly projecting lower flanges.
 4. The combination of claim 1 including an inverted generally L-shaped support bracket including a lower upright arm and an upper horizontal arm, the lower end of said upright arm being supported from the portion of the other side member opposite the mid-portion of said one side member and the horizontal arm projecting inwardly over the central area of said frame from the upper end of said upright arm, the mid-portion of said guide bar being supported from the end of said horizontal arm remote from said upright arm, said arms comprising angle members.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said side member and said transverse member comprise angle members including upstanding outer flanges and horizontal inwardly projecting lower flanges.
 6. The combination of claim 1 including an inverted generally L-shaped support bracket including a lower upright arm and an upper horizontal arm, the lower end of said upright arm being supported from the portion of the other side member opposite the mid-portion of said one side member and the horizontal arm projecting inwardly over the central area of said frame from the upper end of said upright arm, the mid-portion of said guide bar being supported from the end of said horizontal arm remote from said upright arm, said horizontal arm being disposed in an upright plane disposed at right angles relative to said side members and said guide bar.
 7. A golf putting practice device comprising a pair of parallel elongated horizontal side members rigidly interconnected at one pair of corresponding ends, an elongated guide bar supported from said frame in elevated position relative thereto with said guide bar generally paralleling said side members and disposed in a vertical plane spaced centrally intermediate said side members, the space between said guide bar and at least one of said side members being unobstructed, the spacing between said side members being slightly greater than the length of the head of a conventional putter and the height of said guide bar above the undersurface of said side members being slightly greater than the height of a conventional putter head. 